The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Finding Nemo and Monsters Inc are all heading back to the big screen. In 3D.

It’s something that stopped in the 1990s, as Disney movies lost their way, and the trend in animation moved towards CG. But The Lion King 3D has thus far scooped an incredible $80m at the US box office alone, with a Blu-ray release due to follow shortly, too.

And this has indeed whetted the appetite over at Disney for more such 3D re-releases. Granted, many of us could happily lose the 3D, but the chance to discover such films on a big screen for a new generation is surely a good thing.

Especially when you consider what Disney has chosen. Its finest animated film ever, Beauty And The Beast, is next up, and that’ll be heading into US cinemas on January 13th next year. Also next year, Finding Nemo is set for release on September 14th.

In 2013, meanwhile, Monsters Inc is set for January 18th (with its prequel, Monsters University, following in June). And then The Little Mermaid will be back on the big screen from September 13th, which points at a 2013 Blu-ray release for the film, too.

What’d be interesting is if Disney could find time and room for some smaller re-releases too, for the likes of The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, The Aristocats, Lilo And Stitch and – why not? – The Black Cauldron. And if it's keen to press 3D onto older films, then perhaps Treasure Planet is the most appropriate candidate. But still, the four movies chosen are a big step in the right direction.

When we have UK release dates for the re-releases, we’ll let you know. The Lion King 3D, meanwhile, lands in UK cinemas this weekend.